COMMERCE CITY — An amazing story is developing at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with the remarkable emergence of Colorado Rapids backup goalkeeper Clint Irwin. Rushed in to replace injured starter Matt Pickens, who broke his forearm March 16 at Real Salt Lake, Irwin has given up only two goals in his last five games.

A college star at Elon in the Southern Conference, Irwin is a product of the minor-league Canadian Soccer League and United Soccer League. Yet when Pickens returns, he may have to fight for his job.

That’s what Rapids coach Oscar Pareja pretty much said Saturday night after Irwin’s third shutout in five games, a 1-0 win over Toronto FC.

“We are competing here,” Pareja said. “I say to the squad all the time, our job as coaches is on the line all the time. We depend on good performances and good results. Players are the same. They depend on performing well. They need to work every day and earn things. The young guys are pushing hard. They are showing they are competing for the positions. That’s something that’s very good to your team.

“In Matt’s case, he’s going to be that. Have somebody who’s doing that well is a competition. And Clint has to be doing the same thing.”

Before getting hurt, Pickens, 31, had one of the most secure jobs on the team and gave up two goals in two games. Last year he started 32 games (9-19-4), had a 1.544 goals against average, seven shutouts and made 107 saves for a save percentage of 69 percent.

In eight games, including seven starts (3-2-2), Irwin has a 0.76 goals against average, 24 saves and three shutouts for a save percentage of 77 percent.

Comments Off on Rapids GK Matt Pickens may have to fight Clint Irwin for job after recovering from injury